On military electronics

The State Department has released new regulations that shift less-sensitive military electronic equipment, parts and components from Category XI of the U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Department’s Commerce Control List.
The changes are part of the White House’s Export Control Reform Initiative and increase interoperability with close allies.
The State Department said the changes “reduce incentives for purchasers to deliberately avoid U.S.-origin parts and components. As a result of these changes, the United States will have greater visibility on arms transfers and end-uses of concern, including human rights abuses.”
The changes take effect Dec. 30.
The Export Control Reform Initiative overhauls the nation's Cold War-era regulations on exports of controlled technologies.

This column was published in the August 2014 issue of American Shipper.